The Myth of Mary Queen of Scots: A History of Self-Sabotage with Tracy Borman

In this explosive episode of History Rage, Paul is joined by the esteemed historian Tracy Borman to dive headfirst into the tumultuous life of Mary, Queen of Scots. This week, we unravel the myths surrounding Mary, challenging the romanticised narrative of her as a tragic heroine and instead revealing her as a monarch whose decisions led to her own downfall.The Myth of the Tragic Heroine: Tracy passionately critiques the portrayal of Mary as a victim of circumstance, arguing that her reckless choices and misguided romantic entanglements were the true architects of her fate. From her disastrous marriages to her ill-fated plots against Elizabeth I, Mary’s naivety and arrogance shine through.Mary's Fatal Decisions:Marriages to Misfortune: Tracy dissects Mary’s ill-conceived unions, particularly with Henry Lord Darnley and James Hepburn, Lord Bothwell, showcasing how these choices alienated her from her subjects and sealed her fate.Political Naivety: The discussion highlights Mary’s lack of political acumen and her failure to grasp the brutal realities of Scottish politics, which ultimately led to her downfall.Conspiracies and Intrigue:Willing Conspirator or Manipulated Pawn? We explore the various plots Mary became involved in, examining whether she was a willing conspirator, a manipulated pawn, or a victim of Walsingham’s cunning.The Gallows Letter: Tracy details the infamous Babington Conspiracy and how Walsingham’s espionage led to Mary’s ultimate demise, illustrating the fine line between conspiracy and entrapment.Guest Information:Follow Tracy Borman on Twitter: @tracyborman.Buy the latest book: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/10120/9781399705110 Join the conversation and share your thoughts on Mary, Queen of Scots, and the Tudor era on Twitter @HistoryRage or with Paul Bavill @PaulBavill. Use the hashtag #HistoryRage.Support History Rage on Patreon for early episode access, the chance to submit questions to guests, prize draws, and the exclusive History Rage mug at www.patreon.com/historyrage. For more historical rants and insights, visit our website www.historyrage.com.If you want to get in touch with History Rage, email us at historyragepod@gmail.com.Follow History Rage on Social Media:Facebook: History RageTwitter: @HistoryRageInstagram: @historyrageStay Angry, Stay Informed - History Rage Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Om Podcasten

Think you know history? Think again.History Rage is the weekly podcast where professional historians come armed with evidence, fury, and a burning desire to set the record straight. Hosted by Paul Bavill, each episode invites a leading historian to reveal the one historical myth, misconception, or lazy narrative they wish we’d all stop believing — and why it matters.From “Vikings wore horned helmets” to “Britain stood alone in 1940” and “medieval people never bathed,” this is history with attitude, myth-busting with academic rigor, and truth-telling that pulls no punches.Whether you’re a lifelong history buff, a student, or just someone who’s had enough of bad takes on TikTok, History Rage gives you the real story — with all the rage it deserves.📅 New episodes every Monday. 🎧 Follow now and join the resistance against historical nonsense.Follow on all social media @historyrage Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.